05. YOSHI

Franchise / home series: Yoshi / Super Mario
Notable non-Smash games: Super Mario World (1990); Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995); Yoshi’s Crafted World (2019)

Yoshi has been a playable fighter in every Smash installment, representing both the Mario universe and his own Yoshi sub-series. Known for his cute design and distinctive voice, he stands out as a cheerful dinosaur companion who still hits surprisingly hard in battle.

In Smash, Yoshi is defined by his unique movement and recovery. Instead of a traditional up special, he relies on a strong double jump with super armor to return to the stage, giving him a very different feel from other fighters. His attacks feature egg throws, tongue grabs, and ground pounds inspired by his platforming adventures. Egg Throw in particular provides a versatile projectile that arcs in the air, enabling creative edgeguarding and zoning.

Over time, Yoshi’s toolkit has been refined to make his aerials, combo game, and shield (modeled as a full egg) more effective and expressive. His role in the roster is that of a midweight, aerial-focused brawler who thrives on pressure and unique movement. Yoshi maintains a loyal fanbase in both casual and competitive scenes, consistently reflecting the playful yet capable nature of his home series.